KKR star comes as a life-saver for Gautam Gambhir, last-minute inclusion to protect from Test sacking

Rinku Singh delivered one of the most powerful and complete performances of his red-ball career, lifting Uttar Pradesh from a tricky position to a sensational first-innings lead against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Elite Group A clash in Coimbatore.

The left-handed batter walked in to bat at No. 5 when Uttar Pradesh was under pressure after Tamil Nadu posted a massive 455 runs on the board in their first innings at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground in Coimbatore.

However, Rinku turned things around with stunning batting. It was a stunning display of patience, control, and fearless hitting as the explosive Indian batter turned an overnight 98 into a magnificent 176 that stunned Tamil Nadu.

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Rinku Singh’s blazing 176 powers Uttar Pradesh to thrilling first-innings lead in Ranji Trophy 2025-26 clash

Rinku reached his ninth first-class hundred in the morning session in 157 deliveries on Wednesday and then showed remarkable stamina, facing 247 balls to build an innings filled with both discipline and aggression. The Uttar Pradesh star’s knock included 17 fours and 6 sixes against Tamil Nadu.

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It was Rinku’s second century of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, having previously hit an unbeaten 165 against Odisha. The 28-year-old had missed several rounds of the tournament because of his commitments with the national side in Australia, but he made a remarkable comeback.

Rinku’s innings was more than just a personal milestone, as Tamil Nadu’s bowlers, especially Kartik Yadav and P Vidyuth, kept testing him with consistent pressure, but the Indian star looked unshaken. He picked gaps, punished errors, and heaved towering sixes whenever Uttar Pradesh needed a push.

Rinku Singh rescues Uttar Pradesh with patience partnerships

He also stitched crucial partnerships during his remarkable knock, adding 104 runs with Shivam Mavi (54), followed by a solid 58-run unbeaten stand with Kartik Yadav (20) that stabilised the chase. Later, Rinku also added a crucial 53 runs with Shivam Sharma (22).

Even when the KKR finisher was dismissed going for a big hit, caught by Sonu Yadav off P Vidyuth in the 143rd over, he had already bailed Uttar Pradesh out of danger and put it into a strong position. Aaqib Khan held his nerve with a steady 14 not out off 29 balls, while Kunal Tyagi contributed 5 vital runs.

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Together, they guided Uttar Pradesh to 460, securing a five-run lead against Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 game in Coimbatore. Vidyuth was the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu with 4 for 73 in 28 overs, while captain R Sai Kishore scalped three wickets.

Rinku Singh's First-Class Career

Well, Rinku is known as one of India’s most reliable finishers in T20 cricket, but he has quietly built an impressive record in red-ball cricket as well. His performances in the red-ball cricket show a completely different side of his game, with fans now calling for him to get regular India A games.

In 53 first-class matches, Rinku has already crossed 3,600 runs, and he has done it with remarkable consistency, averaging above 57. This is the kind of number that only top-class red-ball players usually maintain. He has already hit 22 half-centuries, proving that he knows how to build long innings, stay patient, and score big under pressure.

Gautam Gambhir's coaching career could be saved

The Indian team is currently facing South Africa in a 2-match Test series and has gone 1-0 down in the first match. The batting has been heavily criticised, and so has been Gautam Gambhir's adamant advocacy for turning tracks.

Gautam Gambhir has found it difficult to manage the Test side since he took over the charge after the T20 World Cup 2024. The infamous New Zealand defeat at home came under Gautam Gambhir's tenure, and the Australian tour was not worth remembering for Indian fans.

Test stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin were all kicked out indirectly due to Gautam Gambhir's preferences, and now, with yet another series loss on the cards, Gautam Gambhir might turn to Rinku Singh to produce the goods.

Gautam Gambhir's main man, Shubman Gill, is all but out of the series, and it could pave the way for a last-minute Rinku Singh inclusion.